An example method is provided in one example embodiment and may include receiving traffic associated with at least one of a mobile network and a Gi-Local Area Network (data-plane), wherein the traffic comprises one or more packets; determining a classification of the traffic to a service chain, wherein the service chain comprises one or more service functions associated at least one of one or more mobile network services and one or more data-plane services; routing the traffic through the service chain; and routing the traffic to a network using one of a plurality of egress interfaces, wherein each egress interface of the plurality of egress interfaces is associated with at least one of the one or more mobile network services and the one or more data-plane services.
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3. The method of claim 2, wherein one or more service functions configured for a particular mobile packet core network fast-path perform at least one of: General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol (GTP) decapsulation and encapsulation operations on the one or more packets.
This invention relates to mobile packet core networks, specifically optimizing packet processing in the fast-path of such networks. The fast-path refers to the high-speed data forwarding path in mobile core networks, where packets are processed with minimal latency. A key challenge in these networks is efficiently handling packet encapsulation and decapsulation operations, particularly for protocols like the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol (GTP), which is widely used in 3G, 4G, and 5G networks. The invention describes a system where one or more service functions are configured to perform GTP decapsulation and encapsulation operations on packets within the fast-path of a mobile packet core network. These service functions are specialized components that process packets as they traverse the network, ensuring that encapsulation and decapsulation—critical for tunneling data between network elements—are performed efficiently without significantly increasing latency. The system may also include a controller that dynamically configures these service functions based on network conditions, ensuring optimal performance. By integrating GTP processing directly into the fast-path, the invention reduces the need for additional processing steps, improving throughput and reducing latency in mobile core networks. This approach is particularly useful in high-traffic scenarios where minimizing processing overhead is essential. The service functions may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both, depending on the specific requirements of the network.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein forwarding the traffic includes multiplexing the traffic between the one or more mobile packet core network services and the one or more data-plane services and forwarding the traffic to the network from an egress interface associated with the one or more data-plane services.
This invention relates to mobile packet core network traffic management, specifically improving traffic forwarding efficiency between mobile packet core network services and data-plane services. The problem addressed is the need for optimized traffic routing in mobile networks to enhance performance and reduce latency. The method involves multiplexing traffic between mobile packet core network services and data-plane services. Mobile packet core network services handle control and signaling functions, while data-plane services manage user data traffic. The traffic is then forwarded to the network from an egress interface associated with the data-plane services. This ensures efficient traffic distribution and minimizes delays by leveraging the data-plane services' optimized forwarding capabilities. The multiplexing process dynamically allocates traffic between the services based on network conditions, ensuring balanced load distribution. The egress interface associated with the data-plane services provides a direct path for traffic, reducing the need for additional processing steps. This approach enhances network performance by streamlining traffic flow and improving resource utilization. The invention is particularly useful in mobile networks where efficient traffic management is critical for maintaining high-speed data services. By integrating mobile packet core network services with data-plane services, the method ensures seamless and efficient traffic forwarding, addressing the challenges of modern mobile network demands.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein forwarding the traffic includes multiplexing the traffic between the one or more mobile packet core network services and the one or more data-plane services and forwarding the traffic to the network from an egress interface associated with the one or more mobile packet core network services.
This invention relates to mobile packet core network traffic management, specifically improving traffic forwarding efficiency between mobile packet core network services and data-plane services. The problem addressed is the need for efficient multiplexing and forwarding of traffic between these services to optimize network performance and resource utilization. The method involves multiplexing traffic between one or more mobile packet core network services and one or more data-plane services. The multiplexed traffic is then forwarded to a network from an egress interface associated with the mobile packet core network services. The mobile packet core network services handle core network functions such as authentication, session management, and mobility management, while the data-plane services manage user data traffic, including packet routing, forwarding, and quality of service enforcement. By multiplexing traffic between these services, the method ensures efficient traffic handling and reduces latency, improving overall network performance. The egress interface associated with the mobile packet core network services serves as the exit point for the multiplexed traffic, ensuring seamless integration with the broader network infrastructure. This approach enhances scalability and flexibility in mobile network operations.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the traffic is associated with at least one of a bearer and a flow for a particular subscriber and wherein the classification is determined for at least one of the bearer and the flow for the particular subscriber.
This invention relates to traffic classification in telecommunications networks, specifically for managing data traffic associated with individual subscribers. The problem addressed is the need to accurately classify network traffic at a granular level, such as per bearer or per flow, to enable efficient traffic management, quality of service (QoS) enforcement, and policy application for specific subscribers. The method involves analyzing network traffic to identify and classify it based on predefined criteria. The classification is performed for traffic associated with at least one bearer or flow linked to a particular subscriber. A bearer refers to a logical channel that carries data for a subscriber, while a flow represents a sequence of related data packets. The classification process may involve examining packet headers, payload content, or other traffic characteristics to determine the type of traffic (e.g., voice, video, data) and its priority. By classifying traffic at the bearer or flow level, the system can apply appropriate policies, such as bandwidth allocation, prioritization, or filtering, tailored to the subscriber's needs. This ensures that critical services receive the necessary resources while optimizing overall network performance. The method may also support dynamic adjustments based on real-time traffic conditions or subscriber-specific policies. The invention enhances network efficiency by enabling precise traffic differentiation and management, particularly in scenarios where multiple services or applications are active for a single subscriber. This approach is useful in mobile networks, broadband access, and other environments where granular traffic control is required.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing data representing a network graph for a plurality of service chains, wherein each service chain is identified by a service path identifier.
This invention relates to network management systems for handling service chains in a network environment. The problem addressed is the efficient organization, tracking, and management of service chains, which are sequences of network services applied to data flows. The invention provides a method for storing and managing data representing a network graph for multiple service chains, where each service chain is uniquely identified by a service path identifier. The network graph includes nodes representing network services and edges representing the connections between these services. The service path identifier allows for the distinct identification and retrieval of each service chain within the network. This enables network administrators to monitor, modify, and optimize the flow of data through the service chains, ensuring efficient and reliable service delivery. The method involves creating and maintaining the network graph, which dynamically updates as service chains are added, modified, or removed. The stored data allows for the visualization and analysis of service chain dependencies, performance metrics, and potential bottlenecks. By associating each service chain with a unique identifier, the system ensures accurate tracking and management of complex network configurations. This approach improves network management by providing a structured and scalable way to handle service chains, reducing operational complexity and enhancing service reliability. The invention is particularly useful in cloud computing, software-defined networking (SDN), and other environments where dynamic service chaining is required.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein a particular service function is included within a plurality of the plurality of service chains.
The invention relates to network service function chaining, specifically improving redundancy and reliability in service function deployment. The problem addressed is ensuring continuous service availability when individual service functions or network paths fail, which is critical in high-availability network environments. The method involves deploying a plurality of service chains, each consisting of multiple service functions arranged in a sequence. A particular service function is intentionally included in multiple service chains within the deployment. This redundancy ensures that if one service chain fails or becomes unavailable, traffic can be rerouted through an alternative service chain that still includes the required service function. The approach enhances fault tolerance by distributing critical service functions across multiple paths, reducing single points of failure. The method may also include dynamically monitoring service chain health and automatically rerouting traffic based on availability, further improving resilience. This technique is particularly useful in cloud-based or virtualized network environments where service functions are dynamically instantiated and managed. The redundancy design ensures that even if some service chains or functions fail, the overall service remains operational.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the second service layer is in series with the first service layer.
This invention relates to a system for managing service layers in a computing environment, addressing the challenge of efficiently coordinating multiple service layers to improve performance and reliability. The system includes a first service layer that processes incoming requests and a second service layer that further processes the requests after the first service layer. The second service layer operates in series with the first, meaning requests are sequentially handled by both layers to ensure proper execution. The system may also include a request handler that distributes requests to the appropriate service layers and a monitoring module that tracks the performance and status of each layer. The monitoring module can detect failures or bottlenecks and trigger corrective actions, such as rerouting requests or initiating recovery procedures. The system may also support dynamic scaling of service layers based on demand, ensuring optimal resource utilization. The invention aims to enhance system reliability, reduce latency, and improve overall efficiency by structuring service layers in a coordinated, sequential manner.
19. The system of claim 17, further comprising a controller, wherein the controller stores data representing a network graph for a plurality of service functions, and wherein the network graph comprises a plurality of service chains each identified by a service path identifier.
A system for managing service function chaining in a network environment addresses the challenge of efficiently routing data traffic through multiple service functions, such as firewalls, load balancers, and intrusion detection systems, while maintaining performance and scalability. The system includes a controller that stores a network graph representing the topology of service functions. This network graph organizes the service functions into multiple service chains, each defined by a unique service path identifier. The service chains specify the sequence in which data traffic must pass through the service functions to meet specific requirements, such as security policies or quality of service constraints. The controller dynamically manages the network graph to ensure that traffic is routed along the correct service chains, optimizing network performance and resource utilization. This approach allows for flexible and scalable deployment of service functions, enabling efficient traffic management in complex network environments. The system supports dynamic updates to the network graph, allowing for real-time adjustments to service chains based on changing network conditions or policy requirements. By maintaining a structured representation of service functions and their interconnections, the system simplifies the configuration and management of service function chaining, reducing operational complexity and improving network reliability.
20. The system of claim 17, wherein the traffic is associated with at least one of a bearer and a flow for a particular subscriber, and wherein the classification is determined for at least one of the bearer and the flow for the particular subscriber.
This invention relates to a system for classifying network traffic in a telecommunications environment, particularly for managing traffic associated with specific subscribers. The system addresses the challenge of efficiently categorizing and processing traffic to optimize network performance and resource allocation. The system identifies and classifies traffic based on its association with a bearer or a flow for a particular subscriber. A bearer represents a logical channel that carries data for a subscriber, while a flow refers to a sequence of related data packets within that bearer. By analyzing these associations, the system determines the appropriate classification for the traffic, enabling better prioritization, quality of service (QoS) management, and policy enforcement. The classification process ensures that traffic is handled according to predefined rules, improving network efficiency and user experience. The system may also integrate with other network components to dynamically adjust traffic handling based on real-time conditions, such as congestion or subscriber-specific policies. This approach enhances network reliability and supports advanced services like video streaming, VoIP, and high-speed data transfers. The invention is particularly useful in mobile and fixed broadband networks where traffic differentiation is critical for maintaining service quality.
21. The system of claim 17, wherein the mobile core and data-plane functions are grouped into at least a first service layer and a second service layer.
This invention relates to a telecommunications system architecture that separates mobile core and data-plane functions into distinct service layers to improve scalability, flexibility, and efficiency. The system addresses the challenge of managing diverse network functions in a unified manner while accommodating varying performance and resource requirements. The mobile core functions handle control-plane operations such as authentication, session management, and mobility management, while data-plane functions process user data traffic. By grouping these functions into at least two service layers, the system enables independent scaling and optimization of each layer. The first service layer may handle high-priority or latency-sensitive functions, while the second service layer manages lower-priority or resource-intensive tasks. This modular approach allows for dynamic resource allocation, reduced operational complexity, and improved fault isolation. The system may also include interfaces for inter-layer communication and integration with external networks. The architecture supports virtualization and cloud-native deployment, enabling seamless adaptation to evolving network demands.
22. The system of claim 21, wherein the first service layer is in series with the second service layer.
The system relates to a multi-layered service architecture designed to improve the efficiency and reliability of service delivery in distributed computing environments. The problem addressed is the need to manage and optimize interactions between multiple service layers to ensure seamless and scalable service execution. Traditional systems often suffer from inefficiencies due to unstructured or parallel service layer interactions, leading to bottlenecks, latency, or failures. The system includes at least two service layers, where the first service layer is connected in series with the second service layer. This serial arrangement ensures that the output of the first service layer is directly passed as input to the second service layer, creating a controlled and predictable flow of data. The serial connection helps maintain data consistency, reduces the risk of conflicts, and simplifies error handling by isolating failures to specific layers. The system may also include additional service layers, each configured to perform distinct functions such as data processing, validation, or transformation. The serial arrangement allows for modular and scalable service deployment, where each layer can be independently updated or replaced without disrupting the overall system. This architecture is particularly useful in cloud computing, microservices, or enterprise applications where reliability and performance are critical.
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May 28, 2021
November 22, 2022
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